Editorial: 'Deranged logic' of Pa. Senate's election 'audit' puts 9 million voters in jeopardy

[BumRushDaShow]

This was published in the Inky (yes, some used to call it that ) yesterday. It was done by Al Schmidt, Philly's single GOP City Commissioner (out of 3 total), where this bipartisan elected Commission handles voter registration, polling place designations, ballots, election equipment, vote certifications, and anything else related to voting. The co-author of the piece is the director of the BPC Elections Project.

Schmidt has been ranting and raving against his own party and the loons in the state since the big lie was foisted upon us.

‘Deranged logic’ of Pa. Senate’s election ‘audit’ puts 9 million voters in jeopardy | Opinion


by Al Schmidt and Matthew Weil, For The Inquirer
Updated Sep 27, 2021

Almost one year after the most secure election in U.S. history (so says the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), the Pennsylvania Senate is continuing its search for evidence of widespread voter fraud that does not exist. The Senate is labeling this undertaking a “full forensic investigation,” an “election integrity” review, and — perhaps most absurdly — an “audit.” These terms might sound official, but in reality, they only serve to hide the dangerous nature of the Senate’s actions.

A real election audit is conducted by professional experts strictly following a transparent set of rules to check and confirm that the final results are accurate. A real election audit adheres to established best practices, uses guidelines that are set before voting begins, and strengthens voter confidence in an election’s outcome. All county election boards in Pennsylvania have already audited the 2020 election results. Most, including Philadelphia, have audited the results not once, but twice. In contrast, the Senate’s “investigation” will be led by an unidentified third party, set its own ad hoc rules 10 months after the last ballots in the 2020 election were cast, and aim to undermine voter confidence in election results for short-term partisan gain.

(snip)

The damage being done by the Senate’s “investigation” is twofold. First, it is sowing baseless doubt in election results. Second, it is taking attention away from the important reforms that are needed to truly improve the voting process. One year ago, 92% of Trump voters said they were very or somewhat confident that in-person votes across the country would be counted as voters intended. After the 2020 election, that number dropped by one-third. Conspiracy theories spread by elected officials from Washington, D.C., to Adams County, Pa., have fueled voters’ doubt about the 2020 result, causing some to threaten election officials with violence and attack police and the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. This has become perfectly circular — they spread lies about Pennsylvania’s 2020 election to justify an election “investigation” and simultaneously claim an “investigation” is justified because voters believe their lies.

In its search for imaginary fraud, the Senate has subpoenaed sensitive voter information, such as driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers, and it is putting nine million Pennsylvanian voters at risk of identity theft if this information is provided to an untrustworthy third party — all in exchange for dominating a few news cycles and degrading the foundation of our democracy. We can be certain of what the final results of this new “investigation” will be — just look at Arizona. At the cost of significant taxpayer dollars, their election “audit” has spread confusion and conspiracy theories among Arizona voters. Election officials and true public servants across Pennsylvania should continue to defend our voters and our democracy, in court if necessary.

(snip)

Al Schmidt is a Philadelphia city commissioner and the vice chairman of the bipartisan Board of Elections. He previously served as a senior analyst at Congress’ Government Accountability Office, conducting oversight to identify and eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. Matthew Weil is the director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Elections Project.

Published Sept. 27, 2021

[no_hypocrisy]

1. That vacuum of logic would invalidate

elections from 2020 and back. Not to mention local and state elections.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Here's proof of your comment-back when the loons were suing Wolf to stop the certification last Nov.

they were basically suing to keep themselves from taking their own elected seats per the results from that same election that they claimed was fraudulent.

Fetterman had to remind them that if the results weren't certified by December 1st when they were to be seated, then the entire state House and 1/2 of the state Senate would be dissolved and defunct.

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
·
Nov 25, 2020
✔️Presidential was certified + isn’t impacted.

✔️LOL: Without certification of down ballot races, we DON’T have a PA House + 1/2 Senate ( both controlled by R’s) after November 30th.

✔️ Biden is already at 270.

✔️ There’s zero evidence to present. 😆
Pa. Commonwealth Court orders halt to certification process in down ballot races; state appeals...
Pennsylvania is prohibited from certifying the rest of its election results in down ballot races — and from taking any further action in regards...
post-gazette.com
John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
This “case” is a group of PAGOP members questioning-without any evidence- the “constitutionality” of a bill (Act 77) which was authored, unanimously voted for, and championed by.. the PAGOP.
GIF
2:28 PM · Nov 25, 2020 from Braddock, PA

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Funny you should mention it.

I am the President of the Pennsylvania Senate and its presiding officer.

Link to tweet

10:06 AM · Nov 28, 2020 from North Braddock, PA

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
·
Nov 28, 2020
Replying to @JohnFetterman
If certification for every state race is blocked because of a PAGOP Commonwealth Court lawsuit, and with ALL of the rampant (yet unproven fraud 😆 December 1st, 25 seats in the PA Senate will technically be vacant.

Can someone check my math?
John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
that pa constitution tho
Image
10:29 AM · Nov 28, 2020 from Braddock, PA

[Mister Ed]

2. This scam is driven not by a lack of logic, but by a lack of scruples.

Unburdened by conscience or principles, the GQP go go fast and go far. Never mind that they are careening toward a steep, dangerous cliff.